Psalms 10:8
He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor.
Original Language Analysis
יֵשֵׁ֤ב׀
He sitteth
H3427
יֵשֵׁ֤ב׀
He sitteth
Strong's:
H3427
Word #:
1 of 9
properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry
חֲצֵרִ֗ים
of the villages
H2691
חֲצֵרִ֗ים
of the villages
Strong's:
H2691
Word #:
3 of 9
a yard (as inclosed by a fence); also a hamlet (as similarly surrounded with walls)
בַּֽ֭מִּסְתָּרִים
in the secret places
H4565
בַּֽ֭מִּסְתָּרִים
in the secret places
Strong's:
H4565
Word #:
4 of 9
properly, a concealer, i.e., a covert
עֵ֝ינָ֗יו
his eyes
H5869
עֵ֝ינָ֗יו
his eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
7 of 9
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
Cross References
Habakkuk 3:14Thou didst strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.Jeremiah 22:17But thine eyes and thine heart are not but for thy covetousness, and for to shed innocent blood, and for oppression, and for violence, to do it.1 Samuel 22:18And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.
Historical Context
Reflects banditry common in ancient Near East where robbers would ambush travelers in villages and along roads. Metaphorically applied to unjust powerful figures.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you see predatory behavior masked in respectable settings?
- What responsibility do you have to expose and resist such hidden evil?
Analysis & Commentary
This vivid imagery portrays the wicked as a predator lurking to devour the innocent. The Hebrew 'innocent' (nakiy) refers to the legally blameless, not sinlessly perfect—those who are victims of injustice. This foreshadows Satan as a 'roaring lion seeking whom he may devour' (1 Peter 5:8) and anticipates Christ's condemnation of religious leaders who 'devour widows' houses' (Mark 12:40).